The message that the Golden Globe winning film brings to the table and why we all need to talk about it.

It is common knowledge that the events people experience shape them as they grow older. “Moonlight” is the story of a young man, struggling to establish his identity while growing up during the “War on Drugs” era. While coming to terms with his sexuality, he struggles living in dysfunctional environments. “Moonlight” does several things right, Barry Jenkins captures the essence of perseverance through three chapters of Chiron’s life. These chapters give us insight into his development as a black man in America.

What stands out about Chiron is his continuous determination. His ability to understand himself while dealing with bullying, a drug addict mother, and an absent father is nothing short of commendable. “Moonlight” is the story that our generation needs to see, it educates and appreciates without generalizing. The film made many appreciate seeing people who look like them on the screen.

Mahershala states that people aren’t always black and white. These characters are not the same characters we see in other movies because they show versatility. “Moonlight” shows that people are not inherently good or bad. Even those who do bad things can still treat people with dignity and respect. It’s message is preaching for tolerance, not just telling a story that has been told before.

Is the above picture representative of scenes that you often see in Hollywood? If not, Moonlight is a film working to change that. This movie is attempting to highlight and correct the problem with representation in Hollywood.